Quality international racing continues this weekend as our focus turns to Singapore this afternoon and, later this evening, to Newbury in England.
On Saturday, the G1 Kranji Mile (1600m) in Singapore is the first of the weekend’s simulcast meetings. Carded as S1-6 at 5pm, the Kranji Mile features several on-speed runners and the pace will be strong.
The overwhelming favourite is Lim’s Kosciuszko, winner of 13 of 16 starts in Singapore. He ran in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December and after being on pace faded in the straight behind Wellington.
Since returning home, Lim’s Kosciuszko has won twice this year over 1200m on the polytrack and then easily defeated Katak in the Raffles Cup (1600m) on turf on 25 March. Lim’s Kosciuszko is my win selection.
Katak looks one of the hardest to beat in the race and has won eight times in Singapore from 16 starts. Vlad Duric takes the ride and will have Katak close to the speed and is a place chance.
Street Of Dreams is an emerging talent, having won his last six starts working his way through the classes. Street Of Dreams is not suited at weight-for-age against higher rated horses but has an ideal draw and is a place chance.
Hongkong Great has had good success since moving to Singapore and won the Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m in November. He was disappointing at his latest run but is a place chance on his best form.
Later tonight,, the G1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m) is carded as S2-4 and run at 10.35pm at Newbury in England. The pace in the race will be good with Mutasaabeq likely to lead and The Wizard Of Eye and Lusail in the lead pack.
Modern Games was runner-up to Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes last year and finished 2022 with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in November. Modern Games was beaten when resuming in the Maker’s Mile on 14 April at Keeneland by Chez Pierre. William Buick takes the ride and I make him a win and place chance.
Mutasaabeq finished last year winning the G2 Joel Stakes and looks to have taken another significant step forward again judged by his emphatic win at Newmarket on 5 May, beating Native Trail and Light Infantry, easily making all. If Jim Crowley can dictate the race again from the front, Mutasaabeq is a place chance.
The only filly in the race is Laurel who faces a huge step up in class from her Listed win at Kempton on the polytrack. She is well in the market because of the Frankie Dettori factor and it will be interesting to see if Laurel can run up to expectations, taking on the male division for the first time at just her fifth career start.
Jadoomi and My Prospero are both returning to the track after successful 2022 campaigns that ended with G1 placings on Champion’s Day at Ascot in October and both are place chances.
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